Lots of good advice here. I've been helping people deal with cholesterol concerns for over 14 years. Although my background is in cardiac medicine I generally recommend the self-directed approach, which incidentally is what the standard is supposed to be (not even the docs I work with do it though!) Much of peoples cholesterol problems are genetic, from mom and dad and we can't do much about it. If you're going to take the medications then you'll be taking them forever assuming you don't experience any side effects like someone mentioned earlier. Skipping a day will be a great way to reduce your chance of side effects but a bad way to get your cholesterol in check. Are you asking because you are having problems with the drug? There are many associated with all statins. Is it a money thing? Some insurance company's pay differently for different ones. The National Cholesterol Board recommends dietary changes first. Challenging to do but much easier on the liver and muscles. Adding a good quality fiber supplement and plant sterols (mimic cholesterol in the body) have been proven for years to do the trick. It needs to be a combination of different fibers and not the $2 potty powder you get at Walmart. I hope this helps. Jeff the nurse in Nashville